“The Pill Line Is Longer Than the Chow Line”: The Impact of Incarceration on Prisoners and Their Families

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana DeHart ◽  
Cheri Shapiro ◽  
Stephanie Clone
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Human Services ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Service Systems ◽  
Female Inmates ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Supports

Incarceration removes individuals from their families and their communities, increasing the potential for disrupted relationships, community fragmentation, and burden on service systems. Based on focus groups with 38 male and 39 female inmates and interviews with 21 family members, this study identifies specific impacts of incarceration on prisoners and their families. Findings include prisoners’ and families’ perceptions of incarceration’s impact on their communication, health, mental health, finances, and involvement with community supports such as friends, church groups, and human services. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.

scholarly journals Primary care teams’ experiences of delivering mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachelle Ashcroft ◽  
Catherine Donnelly ◽  
Maya Dancey ◽  
Sandeep Gill ◽  
Simon Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Virtual Care ◽  
Primary Care Teams ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Integrated primary care teams are ideally positioned to support the mental health care needs arising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding how COVID-19 has affected mental health care delivery within primary care settings will be critical to inform future policy and practice decisions during the later phases of the pandemic and beyond. The objective of our study was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care teams’ delivery of mental health care. Methods A qualitative study using focus groups conducted with primary care teams in Ontario, Canada. Focus group data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results We conducted 11 focus groups with 10 primary care teams and a total of 48 participants. With respect to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health care in primary care teams, we identified three key themes: i) the high demand for mental health care, ii) the rapid transformation to virtual care, and iii) the impact on providers. Conclusions From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care quickly responded to the rising mental health care demands of their patients. Despite the numerous challenges they faced with the rapid transition to virtual care, primary care teams have persevered. It is essential that policy and decision-makers take note of the toll that these demands have placed on providers. There is an immediate need to enhance primary care’s capacity for mental health care for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.

scholarly journals Family Separation and the Impact of Digital Technology on the Mental Health of Refugee Families in the United States: Qualitative Study

10.2196/14171 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. e14171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayyed Fawad Ali Shah ◽  
Julia Meredith Hess ◽  
Jessica R Goodkind
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The United States ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Family Separation ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundConflicts around the world have resulted in a record high number of refugees. Family separation is a critical factor that impacts refugee mental health. Thus, it is important to explore refugees’ ability to maintain contact with family members across the globe and the ways in which they attempt to do so. It is increasingly common for refugees to use information and communication technologies (ICTs), which include mobile phones, the internet, and social media sites, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber, for these purposes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore refugees’ perceptions of the impact of communication through ICTs on their mental health, the exercise of agency by refugees within the context of ICT use, especially their communication with their families, and logistical issues that affect their access to ICTs in the United States.MethodsWe used a constructivist grounded theory approach to analyze in-depth interviews of 290 adult refugee participants from different countries, who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a community-based mental health intervention.ResultsAnalyses showed that communication through ICTs had differing impacts on the mental health of refugee participants. ICTs, as channels of communication between separated families, were a major source of emotional and mental well-being for a large number of refugee participants. However, for some participants, the communication process with separated family members through digital technology was mentally and emotionally difficult. The participants also discussed ways in which they hide adversities from their families through selective use of different ICTs. Several participants noted logistical and financial barriers to communicating with their families through ICTs.ConclusionsThese findings are important in elucidating aspects of refugee agency and environmental constraints that need to be further explicated in theories related to ICT use as well as in providing insight for researchers and practitioners involved in efforts related to migration and mental health.

scholarly journals Understanding Burnout in Indian Housewives Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charvi Pareek ◽  
Nandani Agarwal ◽  
Yash Jain
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Personal Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 Pandemic has brought the world underwaters. All over the world, people were affected. The focus during this period was mostly on patients and frontline workers, with some attention also towards working adults. One cohort that has not gained much light during this pandemic is of housewives. Housewives had to manage household chores along with managing family relations – especially in India, where societal expectations lie on the female to provide family members with care and manage the household. Dealing with uncertainty, decreased availability of personal space, increased presence of and interaction with people in the household due to work from home scenarios, shifting to the online world and adapting to the change, economic disturbances, absence of domestic help, managing parental responsibility, increased stress about one’s own and family members’ health and lack of social interaction have contributed to their inconvenience. Existing evidence supports that housewives have been experiencing burnout in their homes. This qualitative study was conducted to see how the added pressure of COVID – 19 and social isolation has affected housewives mentally, leading to burnout. This narrative study includes participants of Indian origin, between the ages of 34 to 50 years. Participants were shortlisted on the basis of their scores obtained on the COVID-19 Burnout Scale, designed by Murat Yıldırım and Fatma Solmaz. The themes generated through this research study are related to understanding the impact of burnout on the mental health of housewives along the areas of physical health, financial well-being, digitization, uncertainty regarding COVID-19, parental responsibilities, social & emotional health, relationship management, and coping mechanisms. The findings of this study suggest that the mental health of housewives has significantly worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic due to constant exposure to certain stressors.

scholarly journals The impact of first COVID-19 peak on patient referrals to Liaison Psychiatry Service and staff perception about service provision in Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust Birmingham - a service evaluation project

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S329-S329
Author(s):  
Saima Jehanzeb ◽  
Muhammad Suleman ◽  
Ella Tumelty ◽  
Joanne Okusanya ◽  
Laxsan Karunanithy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Liaison Psychiatry ◽  
Clinical Databases ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Trust

AimsBased on recommendations from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, this project aimed to evaluate the impact of the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic on referral patterns to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Liaison Psychiatry (LP) service. Additionally, we aimed to explore staff experiences in LP services across Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust (BSMHFT) in order to generate Trust recommendations promoting optimal healthcare provision amidst the on-going pandemic.MethodA mixed method service evaluation was conducted using quantitative and qualitative analysis. Quantitative methods involved reviewing referrals made to the QEHB LP service from March to June 2020, compared with the equivalent time period in 2019. Data were retrospectively extracted from the electronic clinical databases RIO and PICS, and subsequently analysed using Microsoft Office. The number of, and reasons for referrals to LP were identified, whilst focus groups were conducted to explore the subjective experiences of staff working across BSMHFT LP services.ResultBetween 1st March and 30th June 2020, 984 referrals were made to the QEHB LP service, compared to 1020 referrals in 2019, representing a 3.5% reduction. From 2019 to 2020, referrals due to psychotic symptoms and deliberate self-harm rose by 12.8% and 14.1% respectively, whilst referrals for drug and alcohol-related causes reduced by 28.3%. A significant increase (150%) in referrals for medication or management advice was seen. Focus groups indicated that staff perceived an initial reduction in number of referrals, but an increase in the acuity of patient presentations.Staff reported anxiety around contracting and transmitting SARS-Cov-2, exacerbated by uncertainty around patients’ COVID-19 status. In QEHB, sixty-five of the 984 referrals (7%) had a positive SARS-Cov-2 PCR swab, with the remaining 919 referrals being either negative (68%) or unknown (25%). Ninety-six percent of consultations were conducted face-to-face in QEHB. There were conflicting views amongst staff regarding whether more consultations could have been conducted remotely. Furthermore, varying perceptions of support and communication from both the physical and mental health trust were reported.ConclusionQuantitative data indicates that COVID-19 impacted LP healthcare provision in BSMHFT. Whilst referral numbers remained similar between the equivalent period in 2019 and 2020, a change in the nature of referrals to LP at QEHB was seen. This was corroborated by qualitative data which highlighted a perceived change in acuity of referrals. These findings have been disseminated across the Trust and subsequent recommendations are being implemented during the on-going pandemic.

scholarly journals Perspectives on the psychological and emotional burden of having gestational diabetes amongst low-income women in Cape Town, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorrein Shamiso Muhwava ◽  
Katherine Murphy ◽  
Christina Zarowsky ◽  
Naomi Levitt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may affect women’s mental wellbeing, functioning and quality of life, with potentially negative effects on treatment adherence. Identifying and addressing the psychological and emotional needs of women with GDM, could have benefits for sustainable long-term behavioural change following the affected pregnancy. This study explored the lived experiences of women with GDM and the impact of GDM on their experience of pregnancy and sense of well-being. Methods Purposive sampling was used to recruit women who had been diagnosed with GDM in their previous pregnancy and received antenatal care at a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. This was a descriptive qualitative study using a combination of focus groups and in-depth interviews for an in- depth exploration of women’s lived experiences of GDM, their context and perceived needs. Data analysis followed an iterative thematic analysis approach. Results Thirty-five women participated in nine focus groups and five in-depth interviews. Women discussed the emotional and psychological burden of having GDM, highlighting (i) their initial emotional reactions to receiving a GDM diagnosis, (ii) their experience of adjusting to the constraints of living with GDM (iii) their feelings of apprehension about childbirth and their maternal role and (iv) their feelings of abandonment in the post-partum period once the intensive support from both health system and family ends. Conclusions The current biomedical model used in the management of GDM, is highly foetal-centric and fails to acknowledge important psychological factors that contribute to women’s overall wellbeing and experience of pregnancy. These results demonstrate the importance of incorporating mental health support in the management and care for women with GDM in public health services, along with facilitating emotional support from partners and family members. Based on our findings, we recommend routine mental health and psychosocial vulnerability screening and monitoring for women diagnosed with GDM throughout pregnancy and postpartum to improve prognoses.

Life on an Emotional Roller Coaster: NFL Players and Their Family Members’ Perspectives on Player Mental Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 404-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. McGraw ◽  
Christopher R. Deubert ◽  
Holly Fernandez Lynch ◽  
Alixandra Nozzolillo ◽  
Lauren Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Job Security ◽  
Career Concerns ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Roller Coaster ◽  
The Impact

This qualitative study examined how NFL players and their family members characterized the impact of an NFL career on the mental and emotional health of NFL players. We interviewed 25 NFL players (23 former and 2 current) and 27 family members (24 wives and 3 others) to elicit players’ experiences during and following their time in the NFL. While players experienced positive outcomes from their careers, they also described important mental health challenges including feelings of depression, loneliness, and stress. Many of their concerns during their careers were linked to anxiety about job performance and job security. Post-career concerns were linked to loss of social identity and connections. Players had difficulty finding help for their concerns. We conclude with eight recommendations, including improved resources, confidentiality, and support.

The challenge of change fatigue on workplace mental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 199-203
Author(s):  
Jan Bruce ◽  
Lucy English
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Workplace Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Workplace Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Change and “change fatigue” were contributing to a spectrum of workplace issues – from extreme stress and burnout – to rising mental health issues even before the impact of COVID-19. This paper aims to examine why identifying mental and behavioral health issues had become a top priority for some employers and explore the negative impacts mental health issues present to organizations. Design/methodology/approach To gain this additional insight and data, meQuilibrium partnered with Employer Health Innovation Roundtable (EHIR) to hold a series of four workshops and focus groups, in the Fall of 2019 with 37 participating EHIR members representing large employers. The authors also gathered data through a short survey instrument. The discussions and the survey focused on the current mental and behavioral health challenges being faced by their organizations and what innovations are being put in place or will need to be put in place as part of a future integrated workforce strategy. Findings A key, and foundational, finding was that among these human resource (HR) leaders there was a view shared by 97% of survey respondents that the workplace was facing a greater mental health challenge than previously. Hundred per cent of participants agreed that the success of a workplace mental health solution will now require highly personalized, whole-person care across the full range of problems from mild to severe and will need to include not just the employee but also their spouse/partner and children. Originality/value While identifying mental and behavioral health issues had become a top priority for some employers even before the pandemic, meQuilibrium believed there was a need for more clarity as to how the HR professionals were viewing the urgency of the situation. This study examines key stakeholders in their organizations, the effectiveness of their current solutions and what new approaches to employee mental health they were considering. This paper includes original data compiled through workshops and focus groups.

The Impact of Federally Funded CMHCs on Local Mental Health Service Systems

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 729-734
Author(s):  
Charles Windle ◽  
Rosalyn D. Bass ◽  
Lois Gray
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Service Systems ◽  
Federally Funded ◽  
Local Mental Health ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Psychological well-being in Italian families: An exploratory approach to the study of mental health across the adult life span in the blue zone

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Kenneth Hitchcott ◽  
Maria Chiara Fastame ◽  
Jessica Ferrai ◽  
Maria Pietronilla Penna
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Blue Zone

Self-reported measures of psychological well-being and depressive symptoms were examined across differently aged family members, while controlling for the impact of marital status and personal satisfaction about family and non-family relations. Twenty-one grandchildren (i.e., ages 21-36 years) were recruited with their parents (i.e., 48-66 years old) and grandparents (i.e., 75-101 years of age) in the ‘blue zone’ of Ogliastra, an Italian area known for the longevity of its inhabitants. Each participant was individually presented a battery of questionnaires assessing their lifestyle and several perceived mental health indices, including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS, Tennant et al., 2007), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (i.e., CES-D, Radloff, 1977). After assessing the level of concordance among adults sharing the same context, the Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) approach was used to assess the nested dataset. It was found that family membership (i.e., grandchildren versus parents and grandparents) predicted the WEMWBS score but not the CES-D when the impact of marital status and personal satisfaction about social (i.e., family and non-family) ties was controlled for. Moreover, two separate repeated-measure Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs) documented similar level of personal satisfaction about social relationships across the three family groups. In conclusions, satisfying social ties with friends and family members together with an active socially oriented life style seems to contribute to the promotion of mental health in adult span.

scholarly journals Cross cultural and global uses of a digital mental health app: results of focus groups with clinicians, patients and family members in India and the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Rodriguez-Villa ◽  
Abhijit R. Rozatkar ◽  
Mohit Kumar ◽  
Vikram Patel ◽  
Ameya Bondre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Specific Feedback

Abstract Background Despite significant advancements in healthcare technology, digital health solutions – especially those for serious mental illnesses – continue to fall short of their potential across both clinical practice and efficacy. The utility and impact of medicine, including digital medicine, hinges on relationships, trust, and engagement, particularly in the field of mental health. This paper details results from Phase 1 of a two-part study that seeks to engage people with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians in co-designing a digital mental health platform for use across different cultures and contexts in the United States and India. Methods Each site interviewed a mix of clinicians, patients, and their family members in focus groups (n = 20) of two to six participants. Open-ended questions and discussions inquired about their own smartphone use and, after a demonstration of the mindLAMP platform, specific feedback on the app's utility, design, and functionality. Results Our results based on thematic analysis indicate three common themes: increased use and interest in technology during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), concerns over how data are used and shared, and a desire for concurrent human interaction to support app engagement. Conclusion People with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians are open to integrating technology into treatment to better understand their condition and help inform treatment. However, app engagement is dependent on technology that is complementary – not substitutive – of therapeutic care from a clinician.

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